Essential 2025 Indonesia Travel Guide: Smooth Entry Tips for First-Time Visitors

It was my first time traveling to Bali, Indonesia with my best friend, and we spent an hour unable to enter the country. After returning, I compiled a guide for entering the country, hoping to help those who, like me, are clueless about the process for the first time. If you don’t know how to fill out the e-Visa, I can assist for a fee.

Essential 2025 Indonesia Travel Guide: Smooth Entry Tips for First-Time Visitors
Essential 2025 Indonesia Travel Guide: Smooth Entry Tips for First-Time Visitors

🌟 Why choose to apply for an e-Visa in advance?
1️⃣ Time-saving and convenient: Apply online in advance (just upload your passport), no need to queue upon arrival, valid for 90 days, and you can directly scan your passport + facial recognition to pass through customs in 5 minutes!
2️⃣ Transparent fees: The cost of a visa on arrival is approximately the same as an e-Visa, but the e-Visa allows a stay of 30 days (extendable once).

Essential 2025 Indonesia Travel Guide: Smooth Entry Tips for First-Time Visitors
Essential 2025 Indonesia Travel Guide: Smooth Entry Tips for First-Time Visitors

A visa on arrival allows a stay of 60 days, but the queue starts at one hour!
3️⃣ Simplified e-Visa: Just need a passport photo, 3 steps to complete! Swipe right 👉 to see the application tutorial!
✈️ 2025 Full Entry Process to Bali
Follow the signs, and you won’t get lost!
1. After landing: Head straight to “Kedatangan International” (International Arrivals), look for the “Imigrasi” (Immigration) sign.

Essential 2025 Indonesia Travel Guide: Smooth Entry Tips for First-Time Visitors
Essential 2025 Indonesia Travel Guide: Smooth Entry Tips for First-Time Visitors

2. Passing through customs:
e-Visa users: Use the self-service channel! Scan passport → Facial recognition → Pass through instantly! (Almost no one there!)
Visa on arrival users: Find the “VOA Payment” counter to pay → Queue for stamping (very crowded!)
3. Collect luggage: According to the “baggage carousel number” on your boarding pass (e.

Essential 2025 Indonesia Travel Guide: Smooth Entry Tips for First-Time Visitors
Essential 2025 Indonesia Travel Guide: Smooth Entry Tips for First-Time Visitors

g., 1-5/4-7), go straight through the duty-free shop (Bali Duty Free)!
4. Customs declaration: Fill out the electronic customs declaration (E-CD) in advance, save the QR code! After collecting your luggage, scan the code to pass through, no need to write by hand! ⚠️ Make sure to fill in the correct “arrival airport” (e.

Essential 2025 Indonesia Travel Guide: Smooth Entry Tips for First-Time Visitors
Essential 2025 Indonesia Travel Guide: Smooth Entry Tips for First-Time Visitors

g., Denpasar/DPS for Bali)!
💡 5 Tips to Avoid Pitfalls
1️⃣ e-Visa application: Use the official Indonesian immigration website (to avoid phishing sites), and make sure to select the correct visa type!
2️⃣ ☎️ SIM card + cash withdrawal: After customs, find a “UnionPay ATM” to withdraw cash (blue BCA bank), and buy a Telkomsel data SIM card (strong signal).

Essential 2025 Indonesia Travel Guide: Smooth Entry Tips for First-Time Visitors
Essential 2025 Indonesia Travel Guide: Smooth Entry Tips for First-Time Visitors

3️⃣ Airport pickup tips: Look for the “Area Penjemputan” (pickup area) after exiting the airport, contact your tour guide/driver in advance, and beware of unlicensed taxis!
4️⃣ Essential documents: Passport + printed e-Visa + hotel reservation + round-trip tickets (customs may check randomly).
5️⃣ Filling out the declaration form: Write “Tourist” for occupation, put the hotel name for address, select “No” for all items in the goods section, and do not carry excess cash!

🧳 Pre-Travel Checklist (Copy with Confidence)
✅ e-Visa (print a paper copy for easy access)
✅ Electronic customs declaration QR code (save a screenshot to your phone)
✅ Passport (ensure it’s valid for more than 6 months)
✅ Power adapter (Indonesia uses the European two-pin type)
✅ 🌞 Sunscreen and mosquito repellent (Bali’s UV rays are intense, so stay protected)
✨ Follow this guide, and even a first-time traveler can become an Indonesia expert!

Quickly save it 🌟, tag your travel buddy, and let the adventure begin!
👇 Swipe right to see the detailed process diagram and get ready to explore!

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4 Comments

  1. Violet Kelley

    I had no idea it could be so tricky to get into Indonesia! Your tips on the e-Visa process would’ve been super helpful during my trip. It’s great that you’re offering help for a fee—some people might not feel comfortable doing that. Just a heads-up, maybe mention any potential risks or delays with the e-Visa in the guide too.

    • wanderlynn

      Thank you for your feedback! I agree, mentioning potential risks or delays can be valuable—things like processing times or rare rejections are good to note. I’m glad you found the tips helpful, even if it was after your trip. Your suggestion will definitely improve future guides!

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